Wind motor with radially pivoted blades



Feb. 24, 1953 c. FUMAGALL; 2,629,450

WIND MOTOR WITH RADIALLY PIVOTED BLADES E f. A

will

INVENTOR. Bg '%Lvmaga" 12.. .I Q

Feb. 24, 1953 c. FUMAGALLI 2,629,450

WIND MOTOR WITH RADIALLY PIVOTED BLADES Filed DGO. 16, 1946 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 INVENTOR: E m Magda',

a 3, 1 @ttf-j Patented Feb. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WIND MOTOR WITH RADIALLY PIV OTED BLADES 13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to transmissions for windmill driven electric generating and storage systems of the general type disclosed in my Patent No. 2,547,636, dated April 3, 1951, wherein a high speed propeller is employed for driving an electric generator through a transmission gearing operative as a mechanical controller governed by varying wind pressures and generator torque and by conditions in an electric supply and storage system charged by the generator to automatically change the propeller pitch and regulate the speed. of the propeller to secure safe operation of the windmill and to vary the charging rate of the generator as necessary to meet battery requirements or other conditions in the electric circuits.

The present invention is preferably designed and adapted for use in connection with the type of apparatus disclosed in my aforesaid Patent No. 2,547,636, relating to a prime-mover dynamo plant employing a windwheel to drive a generator to charge an electric supply and storage circuit, and in which the electric supply and storage circuit includes electrical controlling means coacting with a transmission controller to govern the action of the propeller, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto and may be used in connection with any type of circuit adapted for cooperation therewith.

In my aforesaid Patent No. 2,547,636 there is K, disclosed a rocker bar and crank link type of and to thereafter drive the generator at a charg- 4 ing rate to meet circuit conditions, as fully set forth in said patent. The present application is designed to provide a windmill generator operating in the same general manner and giving the same substantial advantages but which employs a rack and pinion or equivalent gear type of transmission-controller between the propeller and generator adapted to eliciently Vtransmit driving motion to the generator and operative at different wind pressures and in association with coacting controlling means to govern the action of the propeller. The claims of the present application are directed to a propeller per se employing transmission means of the character described and to electro-mechanical or solenoid means cooperating therewith to govern the -a windmill and electric circuit of the 'general 2 character disclosed in my said Patent No. 2,547,636,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a portion of a windmill tower and of a windmill head embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through a portion 0f the windmill head showing the propeller blades in intial position, as when the windmill is out of action.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the gear casing of the windmill head on the line of the shafts of the propeller blades.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal transverse section through the gear casing.

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the detachable part of the head of the gear casing and the guide rails carried thereby.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of the electric circuit.

Fig. l is a View exemplicatively showing the starting position of a propeller blade and its variable running positions under increasing Wind pressures.

Figs. 8, 9 and l0 are views of the double throw controlling switch, showing different positions thereof. Referring now more particularly to the drawings, l designates a windmill frame or tower carrying an outer stationary shaft 2 and an inner shaft 3 rotatable therein, said shafts having xed thereto turntable members 4 and 5 between which are interposed antifriction bearings 6, and

. on which shaft 3 the windmill head l is mounted so as to be rotatably movable to maintain itself normally in the path of the wind. As shown, the shaft 2 or tower l carries a junction plate 8, and mounted on said shaft 2 is a set of collector rings 9, it and H engaged by brushes 9', lil and Il' mounted on an inverted cup-shaped member I2 iixed to and rotatable with the shaft 3, said member forming with the plate 8 a casing or enclosure for the rings and brushes and a `support for their binding posts and associated electrical connections. A tail vane i3 is suitably mounted on the shaft 3 or head l and acts as a surface to normally keep the head facing toward the wind.

rIhe windmill head is in the form of a more or 'less streamlined body or casing comprising a movable front casing section irl, a stationary casing section l5 enclosing the generator i6 having a conoidal rear end portion or cap il, a closure head or partition i8 at the forward end ci the section i5, and a telescopic coupling connection between the sections i4 and I5, said telesccipic connection consisting of a cup-shaped armature member I9 secured to the rear wall 20 of the section I4, and having a hub or sleeve portion 2l forming a solenoid core, and an annular solenoid coil 22 secured to the head I8 and telescopically enclosing the core 2I and telescopically iitting within the member I9. Member I9 is preferably formed with the core as a unit and both made of magnetic metal so that members I9 and 2i act as a solenoid armature and so that the attractive force of the coil on the members IQ and core 2| may be utilized to the fullest advantage to pull or draw the parts I4 and I rearward or toward casing section I5 when the coil is energized. The member I9 also serves as a brake drum externally engageable by a spring retracted split brake band 23 supported by the casing section I5, the ends of which band are coupled to a rock shaft 24 actuable by a lever 25 to contract and apply the band. The lever 23 is connected by a cable 26 to an electric controller in a charging and storage circuit C so as to operate to apply the brakes at a time and in the manner hereinafter described.

lhe forward or head casing section I4 forms the head and an enclosure for the forward portion of the generator drive shaft 21 and parts of the transmission, propeller and mechanical propeller adjusting or control means. As shown, the casing I4 comprises an annular casing body closed at the rear by the wall 20 and at the front by a detachable cover 28. The shaft 21, which forms part of or is coupled at its rear end to the generator armature, extends into the casing I4 through an anti-friction bearing 29 on the head I8 and a bearing bushing 30 fitted in the armature 2| and wall 20 and is provided within the casing i4 with a reduced portion 3| having a threaded surface 32 and a reduced terminal or tip 33. The tip 33 extends into the chamber of a hollow regulating screw 34 fitted in a threaded opening at the center of the cover 2S and having at its outer end an adjusting head 35 and carrying a jamb nut 36, whereby it may be adjusted and fixed in adjusted position. In said screw is arranged a spring 31 against which the tip 33 bears. This spring operates to maintain the casing I4 in a predetermined forward position and to provide a yielding resistance to rearward sliding movement of said casing. This resistance may be varied by adjustment of the screw 34, which serves with the spring as a controller whereby the degree of adjustment of the propeller and its allowable maximum and minimum speeds may be set or regulated as occasion may reduire.

The propeller per se and the transmission and propeller adjusting means comprises a pair or more of diametrically disposed propeller blades 33, 33 secured by clamping members 38h and bolts 33o to shafts 39, 39 journaled at opposite sides of the casing I4 in anti-friction bearings arranged in bearing sleeves 40 secured in place by brackets 4i and adjustable to take up wear by adjusting nuts 42. The blades are adjustable about their axes to increase their pitch for wind speed increasing actions against the resistance of adjusting spring 3l', which acts in conjunction with spirally coiled springs 38a. to bring them back to initial position. Springs 38a, as shown, are disposed about the sleeves 40 and shafts 39, 39 and are terminally engaged with the sleeves and with the shafts or with the gears 43, 43 fixed to the respective shafts.

At their inner ends the shafts 39, 39 are provided with spur gears or pinions 43, 43 of full circular or segmental form, which mesh with rack 4 bars 44, 44 carried by a transversely arranged transmission bar or lever 45 keyed to part 3l of shaft 21 between a shoulder 46 on the shaft and a retaining nut 41 applied to the threaded surface 32. The oppositely extending arms of the bar 45 are provided with spindles 48 on which are journaled rollers 49 arranged to travel between spaced sets or pairs of guide and driving rails 5) and 5I extending inwardly from the head 23, whereby the shaft 21 is coupled to the head I4 to rotate therewith and whereby the head I4 is fitted to slide inwardly and outwardly on and relative to the shaft 21. Motion of the head I4 inwardly or rearwardly under wind pressures is yieldingly resisted by the spring 31, while the springs 38a resist in a calibrated manner the axial rotation of the gears and act to take up all slack caused by the clearance or wear between the gears and racks and to equalize the axial posi tion of the blades; also the springs 38a when tensioned coact with the tensioned spring 31 to move the blades from adjusted positions back to normal position. The normal position of the hub on the shaft is outward or against the direction ofthe wind and the normal axial position of the blades is set by the gears at a high-tipspeed-ratio in which said blades start into rotation and run until they reach the high top speed allowed by the adjusted spring 31, which holds the hub from sliding inwardly on the shaft until the wind reaches such a speed and pressure sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring 31 whereupon the hub will be forced to slide inwardly a greater or less distance dependent on the wind force, thereby compressing the spring and increasing its tension to the point where the spring tension is equal to the wind pressure. The hub in such inward sliding movements, causes adjustment of the blades to axial positions in which the wind speed and spring pressures acting on the blades are automatically regulated to maintain the top running speed set by adjustment of the top speed regulating screw or bolt 34. Any increasing wind pressure causes a further sliding movement of the hub and proportional axial shift of the blades to a lower-tip-speedratio to exactly and automatically maintain the vsame propeller top speed efficiency, and any relatively decreasing wind pressure allows the spring 31 to slide the hub forward in a counter-wind direction. Also the movement of the hub in a counterwind direction causes the blades to suction wind byv their speed inertia and exaggerated pitch, out of proportion to the lower speed of the wind, permitting the hub to be quickly shifted forwardly and to shift the blades for a higher-tip speed-ratio-eficiency proportionately to the decreasing speed of the wind so as to obtain exactly the same top propeller speed R. P. M. By the explained governing action of my transmission it will be evident that the propeller never overspeeds regardless of the wind velocities, as by the decreasing tip-speed-ratio range of the blades the tip-speed-ratioefliciency may be decreased to the limit at which the propeller no longer acts as a motor.

Another notable advantage of the transmission is that the top running speed of the propeller may be varied to a great range by adjusting the yielding spring 31 by means of the bolt 34, so that any top generator charging rate may be obtained, allowing any small or large battery to be charged by the windmill generator to meet exactly the capacity requirements of the battery without damage.

The combined transmission and mechanical controller above described is also adapted to be electrically controlled by the solenoid ISL-22 through means in the circuit C, and governed by conditions in said circuit, to adjust the propeller and regulate the generator charging rate, or to stop the windmill, as will be fully set forth in the subjoined description.

Each propeller blade 33, 38 is or may be of standard helical type commonly used in windmill electric generators and having a suitable pitch, which may be, for example, from 8 to 12 at the hub. The blades are adjustably secured to their shafts by brackets Lidl) and bolts 38C whereby they may be adjusted to a desired xed starting angle. Each blade has a front face a, a rear airoil face b, a leading edge c and trailing edge d and is sectionally shaped to give it the determined inherent pitch and airfoil shape. Each blade, though having a fixed starting and running angle position in which it is secured by brackets 38h and bolts 3de, is adjustable about its axis to vary its starting and running angle through the action of the wind pressure and the yielding tension of the spring 3l. Thehead or hub lll rotates about the shaft 2l and is coupled thereto by the lever d5 and rails 5I, so that in the rotation of the hub the shaft will be driven at a governed speed regulated by the pressure of the wind and the adjustments of the propeller blades. Figs. 2, 3 and l and blade-position a of Fig. 7 show the starting and running position of the propeller and transmission and starting and running position a of the blade at the fixed starting and running angle, which may be varied by the wind pressure, and the yielding adjustment of the tensioned spring 3l by the regulator screw 3d. The adjustments of the hub iii and propeller blades 38, 33 also determine the governing positions of the blades and the allowable maximum speeds of the propeller, which may be set according to general wind speeds and to the ampere hour capacity of the battery and the requirement of the circuit or load applied to the generator. When the windmill is in operation the speed of the propeller and the charging rate of the generator are automatically governed by the adjustment oi the blades through the backward and forward sliding movements of the head l under wind high pressures, the action of the spring 3l, and the action of the rack and pinion gears, 43, H3', 4a, 44', whereby the speed oi the propeller or its eective power transmitted, and the generator charge rate and load, are automatically controlled by mechanical means, i. e., the sliding hub and the rack and pinion, generator driving and blade adjusting gearing.

Fig. 7 shows in connection with Figs. 2, 3 and i the starting and ruiming position of the blades and their governing positions at different high wind speeds in which the blades are adjusted to compensate for diiierent wind speeds or pressures in order to maintain a safe and constant windmill speed. At a in Fig. 7 is shown the starting and running position of the blades at the fixed or adjusted starting angle, to give a powerful starting and efficient running angle. At b', c', d', e, in Fig. i?, are shown the positions to which the blades are successively shifted for governing actions at progressively increasing wind speeds up to high cr strong wind velocities of any degree, and at which the blade angles are adjusted to reduce their einciency proportionate to the speed of the wind, whereby the propeller speed is controlled so that the propeller and gen- Acharging output rate.

erator will be operated at a safe and constant speed at governing speeds regardless of wind velocities. From position a', giving a powerful starting and running action, the blades are shifted to positions b to e or more by rearward sliding movements of the head under wind pressures against the resistance of the spring 31, which, by reaction, as the wind speeds are reduced, move the head forward to reverse the order of adjustment of the blades to the higher tip-speed-ratio positions. The adjustments of the blades in one direction or the other, dependent upon wind pressures, increases or reduces the effective tip speed ratio of the propeller to regulate the speed within given limits. Normally, the parts pass smoothly from the starting and running position shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, '7 (a) to the governing positions, in which running position a. the propeller will turn at a Variable R. P. M. calculated to operate the generator at an adjusted charging rate, varying more or less from the wind speed required to start the propeller to more or less high wind speeds for any top speed of the propeller to get any required charging rate output of the generator to charge the battery according to its capacity and the circuit demands in accordance with the rate determined by the adjustment of spring 3l by the screw 34. The propeller blades maintain the running position a until the propeller reaches the determined top speed at required wind speeds. From this point on, higher pressures or" the wind on the propeller causing rearward sliding movements of the propeller head will cause mechanical shifting of the blades to lower-tipspeed-ratio at, say, wind pressures of, for example, from 20 to 80 or any speed M. P. H., to the lower-speed-ratio-angle positions shown and indicated at b', c', d', e in Figure 7 or further increased lower-tip-speed-ratio positions up to an entirely ineffective angular position, decreasing the speed and efficiency of the propeller to compensate for the speed of the wind, but maintaining the predetermined adjusted windmill speed (say, 2G M. P. H., windmill speed R. P. M.) to drive the generator at a more or less constant The action of the windmill will be mechanically controlled in this manner through the control means so far described until conditions in the battery and electric circuit require a change in the charging rate or a stoppage of the apparatus, when the apparatus will then also be electrically controlled.

l It will be understood, of course, that, the top speed limit adjustment of the propeller may be regulated by means of the regulating screw 34, and that, beginning with angle a shown in Figure '7, or an approximate angle, and continuing throughout the lower-tip-speed-gear-ratios shown at b to e in Figure 7, the speed will be governed by the tip-speed-gear-ratio arrangement of the blades whereby the speed of the propeller is progressively decreased as and proportionally to increasing wind speeds by means of which the eiective speed-force of the wind on the propeller is progressively reduced throughout progressive high wind speed pressures. The solenoid 22-21 acts under certain conditions to slidethe propeller head rearwardly to counteract the tension of the top speed regulator spring 31 of the regulator screw 341i to assist in shifting the blades to reduce the R. P. M. of the propeller coacting at any determined speed of the wind to reduce the rate of charge of the generator, as

vrequired-by conditions in the battery or electric circuit C supplied with current by the generator. As the expansion of spring 31 is reduced i. e., as said spring is compressed, by the wind pressure independently of as well as conjointly with the magnetic power pull of the solenoid 2l, 22, the top speed of the propeller is reduced to a lower R. P. M. so that the generator charge rate is lowered in proportion to the speed of the slowed propeller. In other words, the allowable top speed of the propeller under high wind pressure is automatically maintained at a predetermined R. P. M. by the mechanical controlling means under normal running conditions and until conditions in the circuit C require a reduced charging rate, when the solenoid is energized by the current to reduce the top speed of the propeller and the top charging output of the generator.

Electrical controlling means are provided for cooperation with the mechanical controlling means to reduce the charging rate of the generator or to stop the windmill when conditions in the circuit C require either of these actions. The plus and minus poles of the generator are connected by conductors 65) and 6i, respectively, to the collector rings Ii and i through the brushes li and l0', one end of the coil 22 is connected to the conductor 60 and the other end thereof to the collector ring 9 by means of brush 9. The collector rings are connected through their brushes with the parts of the circuit C and the battery and associated parts and controllers therein in the manner which will now be set forth in connection with the operation of the parts normally and under other conditions in the charging action and the circuit.

The current from the generator G hows through positive conductor (il) through brush l', collector ring II conductor G2, Voltage coil E3, adjustable resistance Gil to ground 55 and back to negative ground E ci the generator, The same current splits and also ows at point 68 via contact points 622, Si), conductor l0, coil 'ii and conductor l2 to and through cut-out relay voltage or closing coil 'i3 and to ground lil, back to generator negative ground attracting cutout armature TES and closing the current relay contact points '1G and Tl, so that amperage iiows from the positive oi the generator through brush il collector ring li, conductor F52, armature tl', contact points (it and (i5, conductor lll, heavy coil lll, conductor relay heavy coil T8, armature 75, contacts id and il through conductor i9, ammeter A, to the battery positive and through its elements to battery negative ground 80 and back to generator ground 35' or through main negative conductor llt back to the generator G. As during the charging process the voltage of the battery and circuit gradually increases, the coil S3 develops a higher magnetic attractive force on its electromagnet core 84, and also an amperage of certain high value in passing through the amperage coil Dll increases the magnetic force exerted on said core 84 to a high degree but not sufficient to attract the magnetic armature 61. As, however', the voltage in the battery circuit is constantly increasing, and as, when the battery is charged to a certain high state, a continued high charging rate may cause damage to said battery, the charging rate should be reduced. During this action the magnetic attractive force of coil t3 is increased until a greater intensity is reached, but, as a high amperage is energizing the heavy current coil 1l, it coacts with voltage coil S3 to energize the core Alo 84 to such a magnetic force as to attract the armature 61, breaking the electrical contact at points 63 and 69. The condenser c is connected in parallel to the contacts 68 and 69 of the compound regulator formed by the coils 63, 1|, core 813 and associated parts so as to prevent sparking when said contacts break the circuit.

When the contact is broken at points 68 and t9, current can no longer pass to coil ll by means of this compound regulator circuit to the battery, on account of the open circuit caused by the separation of contact points G8 and 69, but instantly the generator voltage is increased which energizes coil 63 to a higher degree Whereby the armature 6l is held attracted, keeping contacts S8 and 69 separated, which maintain a broken circuit to the path of the current supplied thereto by the generator. At this time, however, current flows through coil 22, collector ring 9 and Wire 85 to regulator coil 86, which is connected to coil 1|, so that both coils 86 and 1I are connected and the amperage turns are increased to hold the armature 61 in its open circuit position at a lower amperage when the generator is operating at low speed, the current thence flowing by way of the conductor 12 and associated means to the battery and back to the generator negative to continue the battery charging process at a lowered charging rate. 'lhe voltage at coil B3 diminishes to a certain degree on the flow of current by way of the coil 22 and above described course of travel of the current to the battery, but as the coil 22 is energized it attracts its core and the propeller head which slide back on the drive shaft 2l causing the propeller to change its pitch, lowering the speed and the charging rate of the generator regardless of the speed of the Wind, so that the propeller will never over speed. When the propeller reaches its reduced top electrically and mechanically governed speed, if the wind diminishes below that required to drive the propeller to maintain its top medium speed, the generator charging rate is momentarily reduced, reducing the attractive force of coil 22, allowing the top speed adjusting spring 3'! to force the propeller head forward, in cooperation with the suction created by the propeller owing to its excessive pitch, thus shifting the propeller blades to a pitch proportionate to the speed of the wind in order to maintain a lowered but constant propeller speed and low charging rate.

If the wind speed lowers to the point at which the propeller can no longer maintain its medium l, and as the generator thereupon lowers its cl "ng' rate, the magnetic pull of coil 22, and that of coils G3 and 86 on armature 5l is reduced and the armature closes contacts B8, .69, and the hcw of current to the coil 22 is correspondingly reduced to its minimum on account oi the less resistance offered by the circuit of lead 62 to the ilow 0i' current to the battery circuit, so that the resistance ci coil 22 to the outward sliding movement of the propeller head to a higher speed position is reduced to allow adjustment of the propeller blades to drive the generator at a proper speed to maintain a low constant generating rate, but as the battery is being charged the voltage will gradually be increased in the battery circuit so that the attractive force of the cornpound regulator voltage coil 53 will `be gradually increased to operate the armature 61, less magzietic power of the coil Il being required under these conditions for coaction with coil 63 to attract the armature 6l -in order :to break the fciresteis@ cuit at points 68, 69 and as less amperage iiow through coil 1| will be required in such operation to open breaking contact at 68, 69, the circuit including coil 22 will function to maintain the lower charging rate of the generator at the lower wind speeds and control the speed of the propeller more easily under the low wind speeds and pressures. As. lthe voltage in the circuit increases, the propeller will be more readily and quickly responsive to a governing action by coil 22 for electrical governing operations until the battery is nearly fully charged, when, as the voltage coil 83 is heavily magnetized by the higher voltage to break the circuit at contacts 68 and 69 cause flow of current through the solenoid coil 22, to nish charging the battery at low charging rate during which the propeller will be controlled at a lo'w speed by electrical means including coil 22 which will have a degree of attractive power to effect control of the propeller to operate at a most eillcient running pitch at a low but constantpropeller spec-d at low or high wind speeds. v

It will be noted that I do not employ a vshunt resistance to control the charging rate of the generator', which renders the generator ineiective at low wind speeds ior generating current. n my system the generator `will be eciently operated at low and high wind velocities and the charging rate controlled when the generator has charged the storage circuit up to a certain high point with current produced mostly atvlow wind speeds, and will thereafter control the propeller speed to maintain always a lowered but effective charging rate no matter how low or how high the speed ci the wind may be.

An unnecessary continuation ci charging oan already fully charged battery is harmful, and a continued running ci the generator on a `fully charged battery results in a wearing out of parts without any advantages. matically stop or start the windmill as required by the state ci charge of the battery and the circuit demands, I employ novel electrical and mechanical means which I will now proceed to describe.

Assuming that the windmill is running and battery iully charged, the stopping action is as follows:

From the positive of the battery the wire 81 takes voltage to energize a coil 38 and from said coil through the adjustable resistance 89 and ground 953 'back to the battery negative 80. Nhen the voltage or" the battery reaches its full charge condition, governed by .previous adjustment of variable resistance 89, the magnetic force oi coil on its core di?. is increased to attract the spring released magnetic armature 93, closing the circuit at contact points 93 and 94, so that through the conductors S1 and 95 a certain amount of amperage flows trom the positive of the battery through the armature S3, contacts 93 and 94 and heavy coil which is energized to exert a stronger magnetic pull on armature 93 holding contact points 93 and 94 tight and preventing heating and sparking at said contact points, the current continuing its travel by wire 91 through :oienoi-:i coil QS and by lead Q9 to insulated electrical, break and make contact switch |09 and through grounded switch member back to battery negative The current passing through the solenoid coil 38 magnetically attracts its armature iii?, which is coupled at one end by a connecting rod it to a pivoted 'bell-crank lever i-i connected to the brake operating cable 29. Lever iii-i is `provided at its other end with a projection i adapted to be engaged by the So in order to autoi hooked end |06 of a pivoted latch |01 movable between stops |08 and |99 and pivotally connected at its opposite end to a bowable spring |0, which in its upwardand downward bending movements alternately makes and breaks the contacts and ||2 of two opposed switches iii and ||2 .l The latch member 91 is connected to the movable core i|3 of a solenoid including coil H4, which when energized pulls said core ||3 downwardly to move latch from an engaging position to its releasing position illustrated. The hooked end |96 of the latch |01 provides a lockingprojection |06 and a trip arm or projection |01. The drawing shows the parts of the brake holding .and releasing means in released position in which member |04 is drawn upward by the brake release spring |24. The latch |91 has been drawn down to release position and set for a latching action.

The member |04 is connected by means of contractible spring |24 to brake actuating cable 2G. When the solenoid coil 98 is energized, the core |02 is drawn down and operates member |04 to pull down on parts |24 and 26 to apply the brake and stop the propeller. In this operation the latch arm of member |04 strikes projection |01 to move latch |01 against stop |09 and tilt member |01 to pull the core I3 upward bringing latch projection |06' above and in engagement with projection |05 to lock the brake in applied position and also bowing spring I I0 downward which closes the contacts of switch and break the vcontacts ||2' of switch ||2, thus de-energizing coil 98 and preparing the circuit to energize coil ||4 .for starting operation when demanded by the circuit voltage conditions. As the spring |0 is held between the keeper notches of a fixed keeper l5 and a threaded and adjustable keeper screw |l6 and locknut ||1, said spring ||0 when bowed downward or upwards will 'be tensioned to hold either switch in a switch-off position and acts incidentally as a detent to assist in holding member |01 either in locking or released position.

Y At the close of a stopping operation the contacts of switch Il i and 2 are respectively left engaged and disengaged by the action of spring ||0 in preparation for an automatic starting operation, and the coil 98 is at the same time deenergized, but as the armature 93 is pulled down on a fully charged (high voltage) state of the battery, and, as the closing (voltage) coil 88 is always in circuit. and remains energized more or less in proportion to the voltage value of the battery, any lowered voltage of the battery is sufficient to weaken the voltage coil 98 so that the magnetic tension of said coil 88 can no longer hold the armature 93 attracted against the pull of its springA 93, whereby said armature is operated to disconnect current contacts 93', 94 and as switch members are connected, by connecting the armature 93 contact HI8 to contact |19, the circuit to the coil |20 of a starting circuit will be completed. Current will then now from battery positive through conductors 81 and and armature 93 through contacts ||8 and H9, and coil |20, energizing its core |2| to hold armature 93 upwardly and contacts H3, H9, firmly in connection to prevent sparking, the current passing .from coil |20 through conductor |212 and coil |4 which is energized and attracts the solenoid armature ||3 which swings latch member |01 to the left, thus releasing hook |06 from projection |05 whereby member |04 is rocked upwards by the tension of the brake accanto springs |23 and |24 moving the solenoid core |02 upwards. In this action spring is bent upwardly to engage the switch members ||2, ||2 for the next operation of stopping the windmill, also breaking the circuit at contacts of switch members in order to d-e-en-erg-ize the entire starting circuit.

This system of controlling and operating the stopping and starting mechanism has the great advantage of preventing cycling of the battery, as, when, by any reason the voltage drops to a predetermined degree in the circuit, the wind-mill will be set into operation. For example, any medium or heavy drain of current demanded from the battery, as in the use of motors or any appliances that require medium or large amounts of current, will cause a voltage drop at the circuit and weaken the voltage coil 88, thus releasing armature 93 and energizing the starting circuit to instantly start the windmill to supply the current for the appliance or appliances switched into function. This prevents rapid depletion of the battery and adapts the battery to be kept in a fully charge-d state to supply the current demands for any purpose in calm periods of the wind. Another advantage is that in oase of dirty or broken battery terminal connections the machine will be caused to instantly stop, discontinuing the charging process and preventing the burning of lights or any of the controlling apparatus in the circuit, as the resulting voltage in the coil 88 as in the circuit will be increased and establish a sudden stopping action.

The stopping coil 88 is normally active and magnetizing its core 92, but when the battery requires recharging and as the voltage is l-ow the armature 93 will connect the contacts ||8 and |I9 causing the releasing of the brake to start the windmill and the generator action.

A switch |25 is provided for connecting a radio R or disconnecting it from the supply circuit. This switch is connected at |25 to cut in the radio. Assuming that the windmill is running, if any objectionable interference noise preventing clear audition occurs, the radio auditor may stop the windmill `by simply changing the position of the switch from contact position |25 to contact position |215, causing current to be diverted and pass through a coil |26 from the battery lead B1. A certain magnetic power thus supplied and energizing core 92 in collaboration with the magnetizing action of voltage coil 88, will be sufiicient to attract the armature 93, and engage stopping contacts 93', 94 to close the stopping circuit to stop the windmill and keep it stopped regardless of the state of charge of the battery, and to .start the windmill .as soon as the radio is switched off, as the coil 88 cannot hold the armature without the cooperation of coil |26', on account ol the low voltage of the battery.

A manually-operable double-throw switch |25 (Figs. 6, 8, 9, l0) is ,provided in practice on the instrument board or panel of the apparatus for controlling the circuit to change the speed of the propeller and the charging rate of the generator'. This switch is normally connected in serie-s with the conductor 92 and comprises `a pair of switch members |3|, |32 connected for movement in unison by an insulated cross bar |32. The portion of the conductor 62 with which this switch cooperates is broken to provide two branches |21, |21 normally connected by the switch member |31, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, whereby the ow of current from the generator to the circuit may be normally controlled by the compound vol-tage and current regulator in the ways previously described. A by-pass conductor 12 is provided which is extended .as a branch from the conductor 12, to which conductor 12 the switch member |32 is connected. The switch member |32 is normally idle `and arranged between two contacts |29, |30 respectively connected with conductor branch |21 and conductor 85. The switch |26 may be moved to the left, as shown in Fig. 9, to disengage switch member |3| from engagement with contact |29 of branch conductor |21 and move it to Iopen position and to engage switch member |32 with contact |29 of said branch conduotor. The switch |26 may also be moved to the righ-t, as shown in Fig. l0, to disengage switch member |3| from engagement with contact |29 of conductor branch |21 and move it to open position and to engage switch member |32 with contact |30 `of conductor 85.

When the switch member |26 is moved from its normal position shown in Fig. 8 to its controlling position shown in Fig. 9 the flow of current through conductor 62, the coils 63, 1\| .and 85 of the compound voltage `and current regulator in the normal ways previously described will be broken and the current from the generator will be diverted and caused to iiow through switch member |32, conductor 12 and conductor 12 directly to and through the cut in and cut out relay to and through the battery and back to the genera-tor negative. The compound vol-tage and current regulator will thus be rendered inactive and the generator will charge the battery at a high rate governed only by the speed of the propeller, which in turn will be governed in action only by its mechanical governing means. When the switch |26 is moved to the position shown in Fig. l0, the flow of current from the generator through the conductor 62 to the compound vol-tage and current regulator will be cut off and the generator current will be caused to pass through solenoid coil 22, conductor 85, switch member |32 `and conductors 12 and 12 to .the cut in and cut out relay and through the battery and back to generator negative. The current flowing in this manner forces the propeller to be electrically and mechanically governed at a low charging rate not affected by battery conditions or circuit demands.

To the positive pole of the battery is connected a lead |316 which by means of a push button switch |31 may be connected to .the lead 62. Through this lead and the switch |31 the current from Ithe battery positive may be passed through lead `|52 to moltorize the generator, from which through lead the current will flow back to battery negative. When the windmill is thrown out of actio-n, and the brake is applied to maintain the propeller in an inoperative state, the closing of switch |31 will cause the flow of current from the battery to the generator with the result of a voltage drop in the circuit and voltage coil 88. so that armature 93 will no longer be held by core 92 and will connect contacts ||8 and ||9 to operate the starting apparatus and release the brake in the manner hereinbefore described. This mode of releasing the brake and starting the propeller is effected almo-st instantly, and the propeller commences to run practically as soon as the push button switch |31 is pressed.

In order to enable a low voltage battery, such as a six or Itwelve volt battery, to be charged by a high voltage generator, such as a thirty-two volt generator, I provide a commu-tator switch |33 which is interposed between and normally connects two sections of conductor 12'.

This switch |33 is movable to disconnect the two sections of conductor 12 and to connect that section of the conducto-r leading thereto from the switch |26 with a conductor |34 which in practice will be connected with a suitable cu-t in and out out relay and the positive pole of the six or twelve volt battery to be charged. When switch |63 is connected with conductor |3=4 and switch member |32 engaged with contact |29, as shown in Fig. 9, the automatic compound voltage and current regulator will be cut out of action and the low voltage battery may be charged through the conductor |34 and a cut in and cut out relay of the same voltage as the battery, the negative pole of which is suitably connected to the negative lead of the generator.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the construction, mode of operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those versed in the art without a further and extended description. It is to be understood, of course, that while the construction disclosed herein is preferred, changes in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts, within the Scope of the appended claims, may be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A variable propeller comprising a stationary rear casing section, a rotary shaft journaled in and extending outwardly at one end beyond said rear casing section, a movable front casing enclosing the outwardly extending end of the shaft and section forming a hub rotatably connected with and slidable longitudinally n said outwardly extending end of the shaft, said front casing section having an open front portion and a detachable cover plate closing the same, blades mounted on the hub section for rotation therewith and adjustment about their axes to diiferent pitch angles, interengaging gear connections enclosed Within the hub section between the blades and shaft for adjusting the blades when the hub slides longitudinally, the hub and blades being slidable on the shaft toward the stationary rear casing section in response to wind thrusts acting on said hub and blades, a rotatable adjusting device carried by the cover plate in axial alignment with the shaft, a spring interposed between the same and the forward end of the shaft for yieldingly resisting the wind speed adjustments of the hub section, said adjusting device being adjustably mounted on the hub section and extending outwardly therefrom and arranged to bear on the spring for regulating the resistance of the spring and 'adjusting the hub section to vary the pitch angle of the blades, and means on the outer end of said adc justing device whereby it may be rotated for adjustment and fixed in adjusted position to the cover plate.

2. A variable propeller comprising a stationary head section, a rotary shaft journaled in and extending outwardly at one end beyond said head section, a movable head section forming a hub rotatably connected with and slidable longitudinally on said outwardly extending end of the shaft, blades mounted. on the hub section for rotation therewith and adjustment about their axes to different pitch angles, interengaging gear connections between the blades and shaft for adjusting the blades when the hub slides longitudinally, the hub and blades being slidable on the shaft toward the stationary head section in response to wind thrusts acting on said hub and blades, resilient means interposed between and in abutting engagement with the shaft and hub section `and operable on the hub section to yieldingly resist its wind speed adjustments toward the stationary head section, and electrical means for adjusting the hub section toward the stationary section including a solenoid, arranged coaXially with the shaft between said sections and having its coil attached to one section and its armature attached to the other section.

3. A variable propeller comprising a stationary head section, a rotary shaft journaled in and extending outwardly at one end beyond said head section, a movable head section forming a hub rotatably connected with and slidable longitudinally on said outwardly extending end of the shaft, blades mounted on the hub section for rotation therewith and adjustment about their axes to different pitch angles, interengaging gear connections between the blades and shaft for adjusting the blades when the hub slides longitudinally, the hub and blades being slidable on the shaft toward the stationary head section in response to wind thrusts acting on said hub and blades, resilient means interposed between and in abutting engagement with the shaft and hub section and operable on the hub section to yieldingly resist its sliding wind speed adjustments toward the head section, and electrical means including a solenoid coil and armature members arranged about the shaft between the head and hub sections and respectively fixed thereto and adapted to be energized to slide the hub section toward the head section.

e. A variable propeller comprising a stationary head section, a rotary shaft journaled in and extending outwardly at one end beyond said' head section, a movable head section forming a hub rotatably connected with and slidable longitudinally on said outwardly extending end of the shaft, blades mounted on the hub section for rotation therewith and adjustment about their axes to dierent pitch angles, interengaging gear conections between the blades and shaft for adjusting the blades when the hub slides longtudinally, the hub and blades being slidable on the shaft toward the stationary head section in response to wind thrusts acting on said hub and blades, resilient means interposed between and in abutting engagement with the shaft and hub section. and operable on the hub section to yieldingly resist its wind sped adjustments toward the head section, and electrical means for adjusting the hub section toward the head section including a solenoid arranged about the shaft between the hub and head sections and comprising coil and armature members respectively xed to the head and hub sections in telescopic relation to each other.

5. A variable propeller comprising a stationary rear casing section, a rotary shaft journaled in and extending outwardly at one end beyond the rear casing section, a front casing section forming a. hub enclosing and rotatably connected with and slidable longitudinally on said outwardly extending end of the shaft, blades mounted on the hub section for rotation therewith and adjustment about their axes to different pitch angles, the hub and. blades being slidable on the shaft' toward the stationary head in response to wind thrusts acting on. said hub and blades, a spring disposed at the forward end of the shaft and between the same and front wall of the hub seotion for yieldingly resisting the sliding move" ments of said hub Section, adjusting means carried by the front wall of the hub section and extending therefrom and arranged to bear on the spring whereby the resistance of the Springs' to the sliding movements of the hub section may be varied, track. rails within hub section extending longitudinally at opposite sides thereof, gear pinions on. the roots of the blades, and a driver fixed to the shaft and enclosed with the pinions in the hub section and having cppcsitely projecting radial arms slidably engaged at their outer ends with the track rails and provided at their inner ends with racks arranged thereon at angles of 90 to said arms and meshing with said gear pinions.

6. A windmill including in combination a stationary rear casing section, a rotary shaft journaled therein and extending forwardly therefrom, a front casing section enclosing the forwardly projecting portion of the shaft and .forming a hub rotatable with and slidable longitudinally on the shaft, blades carried by and pivotally mounted on the front casing section so as to be axially adjustable to different pitch angles, track rails extending along the inner surfaces of the side walls of said inner casing section at opposite sides of the shaft, a driver bar enclosed in the front casing section and connected centrally of its length with the shaft and substantially in line with the pivotal axes of the blades and having arms projecting radially therefrom toward the track rails and slidably engaged at their outer ends with said track rails to form a direct driving connection between the the arms of the bar and to the shafts of the i blades for adjusting the blades, the hub being movable rearwardly in one direction from a normal position on the shaft under wind thrusts on the blades to adjust the blades to different pitch angles through the action of said gear elements, and resilient means interposed between the shaft and hub section for yieldingly resisting such movements of the hub and blades under relatively strong wind forces and moving the same backward toward their normal positions in the presence of relatively reduced wind forces.

'7. A windmill including in combination a stationary rear casing section, a rotary shaft journaled therein and projecting forwardly there- ,l

from, a movable front casing section forming a hub rotatable with and slidable longitudinally 0n the shaft toward and from the stationary rear section, blades having staffs pivotally mounted on the hub section so as to adapt the blades to be rotatably adjusted to different pitch angles, longitudinal track rails extending along the inner side of the walls of the hub section at opposite sides of the shaft, a driver bar enclosed within the hub section and connected centrally of its length with the shaft substantially in radial alinement with the pivotal axes of the blades and having arms projecting therefrom toward and slidably engaged at their outer ends with said track rails to form a direct driving connection between the hub and shaft in any of the posiions to which the hub may be slidably adjusted, interengaging gear elements within the hub section comprising pinions on the blade staffs and gear racks at the inner ends of the driving bar for adjusting the blades, the hub being movable rearwardly from a normal position on the shaft under wind thrusts on the blades to adjust the blades to different pitch angles through the action of said gear elements, a spring interposed between the shaft and hub section for yieldingly resisting such movements of the hub, and a coil spring connecting each blade with the hub and acting on the blade for resisting its adjustment, the first named spring and said springs connected to the blades serving to conjointly resist such movement of the hub and adjustment of the blades in the presence of relatively strong wind forces and to move the same backward toward their normal positions in the presence of relatively reduced wind forces.

8. A windmill including in combination a stationary front casing section, a rotary shaft'journaled therein and projecting forwardly therefrom, a movable front casing section forming a hub enclosing the forwardly projecting end of the shaft and rotatable with and slidable longitudinally on the shaft toward and from the stationary rear casing section, radially arranged blades having staffs pivotally mounted on the hub so as to adapt the blades to be axially adjusted to different pitch angles, track rails extending parallel with the shaft along the inner sides of the walls of the hub at opposite sides of the shaft, a driver bar within the hub section connected centrally of its length with the shaft substantially in radial alinement with the pivotal axes of the blades and having arms projecting therefrom and slidably engaged at their outer iree ends with said track rails to form a direct driving connection between the hub and shaft in any of the positions to which the hub may be slidably adjusted, gear elements enclosed within the hub and comprising pinions on the blade staffs and rack bars xed to the inner ends of the arms of the driver bar for engagement with the pinions to adjust the blades, the hub being movable rearwardly on the shaft from a normal position on the shaft toward the rear casing section under wind thrusts on the blades to adjust the blades to different pitch angles through the action of said gear elements, and resilient means interposed between the shaft and hub for yieldingly resisting such movements of the hub and blades under relatively strong wind forces and moving the same backward toward their normal positions in the presence of relatively reduced wind forces.

9. A windmill including in combination a stationary rear casing section, a rotary shaft journaled therein extending forwardly therefrom, a movable front casing section forming a hub enclosing and rotatable with and slidable longitudinally on the forwardly projecting end of the shaft, blades carried by and pivotally mounted on the hub for adjustment to different pitch angles, track rails extending along the walls of the hub at opposite sides of and parallel with the shaft, a driver bar within the hub connected centrally of its length with` the shaft and having arms projecting therefrom toward and slidably engaged at their outer free ends with said track rails to form a direct driving connection between the hub and shaft in any of the positions to which the hub may be slidably adjusted, interengaging gear elements on the arms of the bar and roots of the blades for adjusting the blades, the hub being movable to different degrees rearwardly from a normal primary position on the shaft under wind thrusts on the blades to adjust the blades from a normal pitch angle to different pitch angles through the action of said gear elements, resilient means interposed between the shaft and hub for yieldingly resisting such movements of the hub and blades under relatively strong wind forces and moving the same backward toward their normal positions in the presence of relatively reduced wind forces, and electrical means for sliding the hub rearwardly to an arbitrary position, said electrical means comprising a solenoid disposed between said casing sections and having its coil attached to one section and its armature attached to the other section.

10. A windmill including lin combination a stationary rear casing section, a rotary yshaft carried thereby and projecting forwardly therefrom, a movable front casing section for-ming a hub rotatable with and slidable longitudinally on the forwardly projecting portion of the shaft, said hub having an access opening at the front thereof, blades having staffs pivotally mounted on the hub for adjustment of the blades to different pitch angles, longitudinal track rails on the hub located interiorly of the hub at opposite sides of the shaft, a driver bar disposed within the hub and connected centrally of its length with the shaft in alinement with the blade staffs and having arms projecting therefrom radially toward the track rails and slidably engaging said track rails at their outer ends to form a direct driving connection between the hub and shaft in any of the positions to which the hub may be slidably adjusted, interengaging gear elements respectively connected to the arms of the bar and staffs of the blades for adjusting the blades, the hub being movable rearwardly from a normal position on the shaft under wind thrusts on the blades to adjust the blades to different pitch angles through the action of said gear elements, a detachable cover plate closing the openingr in the hub section, through which opening the parts disposed in the hub section are accessible when the cover plate is removed, an adjusting device mounted on the cover plate and projecting outwardly therefrom, and a spring disposed between the cover plate and forward end of the shaft for yieldingly resisting such movements of the hub and blades under relatively strong wind forces and moving the same backward toward normal position in the presence of relatively reduced wind forces, said spring being adjustable to vary its resistance to the movements of the hub and blades under the wind forces by means of said adjusting device.

ll. A windmill including in combination a stationary rear casing section, a rotary shaft carried thereby and projecting forwardly therefrom, a movable front casing section forming a hub enclosing and rotatable with and slidable longitudinally on the forwardly projecting portion of the shaft, blades carried by the hub and rotatably adjustable to different pitch angles, track rails carried by and disposed within the hub at opposite sides of the shaft, a driver bar enclosed within the hub and connected` centrally of its length with the shaft and having arms projecting therefrom and slidabiy engaged at their outer ends with said track rails to form a direct driving connection between the hub and shaft in any of the positions to which the hub may be slidably adjusted, interengaging gear elements on the bar and blades for adjusting the blades, the hub being movable in one direction from a normal position on the shaft under wind thrusts 18 on the blades to adjust the blades to different pitch angles through said gear elements, means comprising a spring arranged between the hub and shaft and a spring connecting each blade with the hub for yieldingly resistingA such movements of the hub and resultant adjustments of the blades under relatively strong wind forces and moving the same backward toward their normal positions in the presence of relatively reduced wind forces, and means mounted on the hub and engaging the first named spring for regulating the resistance of said first-named spring to the sliding movements of the hub under wind pressures.

12. A windmill including in combination a stationary front casingV section a rotaryshaft carried thereby and projecting forwardly therefrom, a movable front casing section forming a hub rotatable with and slidable longitudinally on the shaft toward and from the stationary casing section, blades carried by and pivotally mounted on the hub for adjustment to different working pitch angles, a transmission connection disposed in the hub between the hub, the shaft and the blades for driving the shaft from the hub and. adjusting the blades when the hub slides on the shaft, the hub being slidable rearwardly from a primary normal forward position on the shaft to other positions on the shaft under wind thrusts on the blades to adjust the blades from a primary pitch angle to different working pitch angles through the action of said transmission connection, resilient means interposed between the shaft and hub and acting on the latter to yieldingly resist such movements of the hub and blades under relatively strong wind forces and moving the same backward toward their normal positions in the presence of relatively reduced wind forces, and electrical means operable independently of wind forces for sliding the hub rearwardly to a predetermined position to adjust the blades to a still different working pitch angle, said electrical means including coacting members interposed between and mounted respectively on the stationary casing section and hub and energizable to so slide the latter.

13. A windmill including in combination a stationary rear casing section, a rotary shaft carried thereby and projecting forwardly therefrom, a movable front casing section forming a hub rotatable with and slidable longitudinally on the forwardly projecting portion of the shaft toward and from the stationary casing section, blades carried by and pivotally mounted on the hub for adjustment toY different working pitch angles, a transmission connection disposed in the hub between the hub, the shaft and the roots of the blades for driving the shaft from the hub and adjusting the blades when the hub slides on the shaft, the hub being slidable rearwardly on the shaft to different degrees from a normal position under wind thrusts on the blades to adjust the blades from a primary pitch angle to other pitch angles through the action of said transmission connection, resilient means interposed between the shaft and hub for yieldingly resisting such movements of the hub and blades under relatively strong wind forces and moving the same backward toward their normal position in the presence of relatively reduced wind forces, and electrical means disposed between the casing sections for arbitrarily sliding the hub rearwardly independent of any acting wind force to a predetermined position on the shaft and adjusting the blades to a predetermined pitch 19 angle, said electrical means including a magnetic Number core carried by the stationary casing section and 1,131,434 a magnetic coil carried by the hub section and 1,165,418 rotatable and slidable with the latter and with 1,362,753 relation to the coil, said coil being energizable 5 1,874,461 to attract the core. 2,159,886 CHARLES FUMAGALLI. 2,179,885 2,360,792 REFERENCES CITED 2,353,850 The following references are of record in the l0 2,370,135 le of this patent: 2,426,007 2,515,607 UNITED STATES PATEN IS Number Name y Date '123,988 Church Mar. 31, 19013 5 Number 1,114,759 Heyroth Oct. 27, 1914 878,461 1,125,783 Waters Jan. 19, 1915 878,544

Name Date Snee et al. Mar. 9, 1915 Kerr Dec. 28, 1915 Sperry Dec. 21, 1920 Lambert Aug. 30, 1932 Cullin May 23, 1939 Fumagalli Nov. 14, 1939 Putnam Oct. 17, 1944 Bany Nov. 28, 1944 Berliner Feb. 27, 1945 Forsyth Aug. 19, 1947 Miller July 18, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Oct. 12, 1942 France Oct. 19, 1942 

